❓ Opposition asks if a reward will be offered for the capture of escaped double murderer and rapist Brian Edwards. The Minister responds that the Commissioner of Police is considering the matter, weighing potential benefits against the risk of overwhelming police with false leads and encouraging dangerous citizen actions.
AnsweredQoN 70Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the escape of double murderer and rapist Brian Edwards, who has been described by police as extremely dangerous and not to be approached. Given that this prisoner is still at large some 10 or so days after his escape from the minimum-security Karnet Prison Farm, will the minister advise the house whether a reward has been posted; and, if not, will she now do so? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. The matter of a reward is something I raised with the Commissioner of Police yesterday when I met with him. At this stage, the Commissioner of Police has advised that it is not his intention to request the government to post a reward, but that he would give the matter consideration over the next few days and advise the government next week whether a reward should be posted. That is the responsible thing to do. Perhaps some of the things that the Leader of the Opposition must consider - these are the things that the Commissioner of Police will consider - is the quantum of a reward and how it will compare with other instances. We also need to consider whether such a reward has been offered in the past. One of the things I am often advised when I have sought advice about rewards is that they provoke a lot of calls. Police might receive hundreds, if not thousands, of calls throughout Western Australia from people who believe that an Aboriginal person they have sighted may be Brian Edwards. That surplus of information can be quite counterproductive because potentially hundreds of people will think that they have seen Brian Edwards and will ring in just in case their information entitles them to a reward. Another concern that must be weighed up is whether a person would be encouraged to capture or detain a person who they think is an escapee to get a reward. These matters are best judged by the Commissioner of Police and the Police Service. They will decide what is appropriate and whether a reward will assist or hinder the situation. The Commissioner of Police has not ruled out suggesting a reward; however, he has advised me that this is a matter that the Police Service would like to consider over coming days to determine whether a reward will be worthwhile in this circumstance. This is not a matter of politics; rather, it is a matter for professional people to make an appropriate decision to achieve the best outcome.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. The matter of a reward is something I raised with the Commissioner of Police yesterday when I met with him. At this stage, the Commissioner of Police has advised that it is not his intention to request the government to post a reward, but that he would give the matter consideration over the next few days and advise the government next week whether a reward should be posted. That is the responsible thing to do. Perhaps some of the things that the Leader of the Opposition must consider - these are the things that the Commissioner of Police will consider - is the quantum of a reward and how it will compare with other instances. We also need to consider whether such a reward has been offered in the past. One of the things I am often advised when I have sought advice about rewards is that they provoke a lot of calls. Police might receive hundreds, if not thousands, of calls throughout Western Australia from people who believe that an Aboriginal person they have sighted may be Brian Edwards. That surplus of information can be quite counterproductive because potentially hundreds of people will think that they have seen Brian Edwards and will ring in just in case their information entitles them to a reward. Another concern that must be weighed up is whether a person would be encouraged to capture or detain a person who they think is an escapee to get a reward. These matters are best judged by the Commissioner of Police and the Police Service. They will decide what is appropriate and whether a reward will assist or hinder the situation. The Commissioner of Police has not ruled out suggesting a reward; however, he has advised me that this is a matter that the Police Service would like to consider over coming days to determine whether a reward will be worthwhile in this circumstance. This is not a matter of politics; rather, it is a matter for professional people to make an appropriate decision to achieve the best outcome.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. The matter of a reward is something I raised with the Commissioner of Police yesterday when I met with him. At this stage, the Commissioner of Police has advised that it is not his intention to request the government to post a reward, but that he would give the matter consideration over the next few days and advise the government next week whether a reward should be posted. That is the responsible thing to do. Perhaps some of the things that the Leader of the Opposition must consider - these are the things that the Commissioner of Police will consider - is the quantum of a reward and how it will compare with other instances. We also need to consider whether such a reward has been offered in the past. One of the things I am often advised when I have sought advice about rewards is that they provoke a lot of calls. Police might receive hundreds, if not thousands, of calls throughout Western Australia from people who believe that an Aboriginal person they have sighted may be Brian Edwards. That surplus of information can be quite counterproductive because potentially hundreds of people will think that they have seen Brian Edwards and will ring in just in case their information entitles them to a reward. Another concern that must be weighed up is whether a person would be encouraged to capture or detain a person who they think is an escapee to get a reward. These matters are best judged by the Commissioner of Police and the Police Service. They will decide what is appropriate and whether a reward will assist or hinder the situation. The Commissioner of Police has not ruled out suggesting a reward; however, he has advised me that this is a matter that the Police Service would like to consider over coming days to determine whether a reward will be worthwhile in this circumstance. This is not a matter of politics; rather, it is a matter for professional people to make an appropriate decision to achieve the best outcome.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. The matter of a reward is something I raised with the Commissioner of Police yesterday when I met with him. At this stage, the Commissioner of Police has advised that it is not his intention to request the government to post a reward, but that he would give the matter consideration over the next few days and advise the government next week whether a reward should be posted. That is the responsible thing to do. Perhaps some of the things that the Leader of the Opposition must consider - these are the things that the Commissioner of Police will consider - is the quantum of a reward and how it will compare with other instances. We also need to consider whether such a reward has been offered in the past. One of the things I am often advised when I have sought advice about rewards is that they provoke a lot of calls. Police might receive hundreds, if not thousands, of calls throughout Western Australia from people who believe that an Aboriginal person they have sighted may be Brian Edwards. That surplus of information can be quite counterproductive because potentially hundreds of people will think that they have seen Brian Edwards and will ring in just in case their information entitles them to a reward. Another concern that must be weighed up is whether a person would be encouraged to capture or detain a person who they think is an escapee to get a reward. These matters are best judged by the Commissioner of Police and the Police Service. They will decide what is appropriate and whether a reward will assist or hinder the situation. The Commissioner of Police has not ruled out suggesting a reward; however, he has advised me that this is a matter that the Police Service would like to consider over coming days to determine whether a reward will be worthwhile in this circumstance. This is not a matter of politics; rather, it is a matter for professional people to make an appropriate decision to achieve the best outcome.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. The matter of a reward is something I raised with the Commissioner of Police yesterday when I met with him. At this stage, the Commissioner of Police has advised that it is not his intention to request the government to post a reward, but that he would give the matter consideration over the next few days and advise the government next week whether a reward should be posted. That is the responsible thing to do. Perhaps some of the things that the Leader of the Opposition must consider - these are the things that the Commissioner of Police will consider - is the quantum of a reward and how it will compare with other instances. We also need to consider whether such a reward has been offered in the past. One of the things I am often advised when I have sought advice about rewards is that they provoke a lot of calls. Police might receive hundreds, if not thousands, of calls throughout Western Australia from people who believe that an Aboriginal person they have sighted may be Brian Edwards. That surplus of information can be quite counterproductive because potentially hundreds of people will think that they have seen Brian Edwards and will ring in just in case their information entitles them to a reward. Another concern that must be weighed up is whether a person would be encouraged to capture or detain a person who they think is an escapee to get a reward. These matters are best judged by the Commissioner of Police and the Police Service. They will decide what is appropriate and whether a reward will assist or hinder the situation. The Commissioner of Police has not ruled out suggesting a reward; however, he has advised me that this is a matter that the Police Service would like to consider over coming days to determine whether a reward will be worthwhile in this circumstance. This is not a matter of politics; rather, it is a matter for professional people to make an appropriate decision to achieve the best outcome.
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